New from H&K: MR762A1 Gas Piston AR-10

H&K manufactures the HK416 for the military market. The gas piston M-4 seems to be working pretty well for them (i.e. it’s still here). H&K doesn’t hate you that much; they make a civilian upper receiver kit for your purchasing pleasure (also debuting at SHOT). So far so 5.56 NATO. This new rifle, the MR762A1, is a civilian version of H&K’s G28 currently in use in Afghanistan. It’s a gas piston operated AR-10 rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO. I’ve never seen a good implementation of a gas piston in an AR-15 (or AR-10 for that matter), but I’m always on the look out for a new version to change my mind. Press release after the jump . . .

Heckler & Koch’s long anticipated MR762A1 rifle (in caliber 7.62 x 51 mm) debuts at SHOT Show 2012, joining the 5.56 mm model (MR556A1) released in 2011. The new MR762A1 rifle is inspired and influenced by recent Heckler & Koch piston driven rifles, including the new HK G28 designated marksman rifle developed for the German military.

A semi-automatic rifle originally developed from the fully automatic HK417, the MR762A1 uses the same HK proprietary gas piston operating system found on current HK rifles and carbines, using a “pusher” rod in place of the gas tube normally found in AR15/M16/M4-style firearms. This method of operation virtually eliminates malfunctions that are common to direct impingement gas systems since hot carbon fouling and waste gases do not enter the receiver area. This is the same key feature critical to the success of the HK416/HK417 rifles used by leading military and law enforcement customers.

The MR762A1 uses many of the same assemblies and accessories that originated on the HK417 including the HK free-floating four-quadrant rail system. This handguard system allows all current accessories, sights, lights, and aimers used on M4/M16-type weapons to be fitted to the MR Series.

The HK rail system can be installed and removed without tools and returns to zero when reinstalled. Like their HK military counterparts, the MR (for Match Rifle) series rifles use barrels produced by Heckler & Koch’s famous cold hammer forging process. The highest quality steel is used in this manufacturing process, producing a long-life barrel that provides superior performance with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity after prolonged use.

The barrels are manufactured in Germany and finished in the USA. MR762A1 rifles are produced in the USA from a combination of American and German-made components. Suggested retail price on the MR762A1 is $3,995.

Seems the M14 I carried weighed somewhat north of 9lbs, certainly with the mag. It didn’t feel that heavy for some reason (maybe, like a good cup of coffee, it’s all in the situation). Seriously, the thickness of the small of the stock made all the difference in the feel and handiness of the weapon. The first M15 I picked up at a gun show in the 2000’s felt like it weighed a ton, I guess that’s the difference between being 21 and 55 (at the time).

The M14 is a great rifle. It didn’t cost as much,was probably more reliable than the MR762 and was built 60yrs ago…
HK started off with a 50yr old design,made it all proprietary and worse and then sell it for 4k.
HK’s motto: because you suck,and we hate you…

Seems like gas piston ARs are all the rage as for now.
So one question I do have about this being in 7.62 NATO; Is this gun controllable in full auto?
That was the supposed big advantage of the M16 versus M14 years ago.
If the rifle is used in semi-auto, what is the big advantage of this gun over an M14 or M1A1?

Not without a decent muzzle brake. PWS and many other make very controllable full auto .308 rifles at arch better price to boot. Actually this probably doesn’t even have full auto being a DMR.
And it really doesn’t have an advantage,it’s just new and shiny…

M14E2, it had a pistol gripped stock and a bipod. Barrel profile was the same as standard M14. My father owns one and I dont see any difference as far as it being more controllable than a regular auto 308

About five years ago, every gunsmith and their dog started cranking out AR-15s, and now the market is absolutely awash with them. Now it seems to be the AR-10s turn. To the extent that it drives prices down and ownership up, it’s all good.

Few American shooters will (ever) have this kind of money to spend on a single rifle, however.

I’ve followed the development of both the MR556, and now the MR762, with some interest. Unlike the author, I have encountered some quite well-sorted gas-piston systems. I spent some quality time evaluating and firing the MR556. It is an impressive weapon system. Definitely reliable, robust, and as accurate as anyone could hope for. Unfortunately it is also unbalanced in a way that I could not comfortably live with (extremely front heavy). The proprietary take-down pins and extremely tight tolerances make for one solid feeling carbine; but they also require a tool to actuate. Pluses and minuses….compromises in a weapon who’s manufacturer’s motto is “no compromises”. I digress. It just doesn’t provide enough improvement to justify its’ cost or its’ late arrival to the party. Oh,and that funny looking pistol grip is actually very comfortable…at least it is on the MR556.

Sig Sauer’s SIG716 is the same concept. It takes the best of the AK47 and AR15. AK47: more power in the 7.62 x 39 round, more reliable in that the receiver is less prone to carbon fouling due to the gas piston design, but less accurate due to barrel flex. AR15: less powerful with the .223/5,56 round, less reliable with gas fouling the receiver, but more accurate since the design does not cause flex in the barrel, particularly if free floated. Combine the power and reliability of the AK with the accuracy of the AR and you have a formidable weapon. Manufacturers may have to work on the weight a bit, but this should not be a huge issue with polymers and alloys now being used in many weapons. The gas piston is the way of the future it seems. Not sure if the world is ready for yet another ammunition round, however. I have not shot a 7.62 gas piston AR yet, but will jump at the opportunity.

You guys crack me up. Unless you own a QUALITY piston style AR like the one from Adcor, you have no real opinion of what they are worth. Yes this gun seems a bit expensive. But until I atleast put a few hundred rounds down range, clean the gun, etc. I can’t say it’s too expensive either. Also some of us live in a communist state and can’t buy the M1A anymore, so this would be a bad a** gun that we can leagly buy. Lol If we can afford it. Lol